Blog Archives - Page 21 of 46 - Mom's Guide To Travel

Jul 06 2015

Trip Planning Advice: 3 Quick Tips To Get You Started

The quickest trip planning advice I can offer you is do not wait until the last minute. If you’re planning for yourself and your family, it just adds a dose of unnecessary stress. If you’re on your own, then by all means, live for the moment and seize the day!

In this video I answer a reader’s question asking for tips to make the process easier. This is the first in an “Ask Me” series were I address travel questions my readers have. I invite you to email me your own.

I’m still working on the name for the series. Maybe I’ll call it “Tawanna’s Travel Tips.” What do you think? This series is all about reader feedback so leave me your thoughts and a travel question below.

An American Express report noted that it takes the average person 30-40 hours to plan a vacation. If you want to make trip planning easier for yourself, there are a few simple things you need to know.

Where to Start

Do you start from your current budget? Do you start from what time of year you can travel? Do you start from where you dream of going? Those are tricky questions.

Honestly, I think it depends on your personality so you have to apply any trip planning advice you get accordingly. If you’re doing a last-minute spur-of-the-moment hop, you have to look at what you can afford first. Eventually, it all comes down to budget but if you’re actively planning, it comes a little later in the process.

Creating a System

Like anything else, planning is a process. And with processes you have to create a system which allows you to easily implement and replicate. What steps are you currently taking when you plan your trips? Where do you usually start first? Do you do this consistently for every trip?

The more frequent you do something, the more systemized it becomes. The same goes for trip planning. Inevitably, it becomes easier and you become faster at it.

In the video I share three quick tips to get you started that will help make your future vacation planning go smoother. Check out the video and leave your feedback.

Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel. Can’t wait to hear what you think.

Jul 04 2015

A Staycation at The Family Friendly Avenue Suites DC

Avenue Suites Georgetown — Walking along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in Georgetown.

The summer is in full swing, which means it’s prime season for family travel and for us, that means a DC staycation in family-friendly accommodations.

Every year we make it a point to do a staycation because there’s so much we have yet to discover in our backyard. Neither one of us are natives, so although we’ve lived in the DC metro area for over 10 years, we’re still exploring. With all the things todo in DC it’s usually our #1 choice for a local family getaway.

One of the biggest challenges with our DC staycations is finding a proper family friendly hotel. As you can probably guess, hotels in DC vary in price and style. We like to stay in a place that offers the amenities we need and is centrally located to the things we want to do.

Avenue Suites DC

Our Father’s Day weekend getaway brought us to the Avenue Suites DC, a Modus hotel. Although neither one of us was familiar with the Avenue Suites, we quickly learned that it was a popular choice for other families as well. Rated #5 on Trip Advisor for DC hotels, we ran into several international guests and families. At one point when we walked through the library, I felt like I was in a European hotel.

Aside from the various accents, the hotel’s modern decor with its simple decor and iconic photographs through the hallways and along the walls, “trick” you into thinking that you’re somewhere other than DC.

The Room

We stayed in a premium two-room suite on the 10th floor with a view that faced Pennsylvania Avenue. The kids enjoyed the extra space just as much as we did. I had to drag my 11-year old out of the bedroom where he sprawled himself out choosing to watch TV “and relax” over exploring Georgetown. Meanwhile in the living room, my husband made himself comfortable on the couch as he caught up with the latest sports news.

My 7-year old bounced between the living room and the kitchen, high off of a chocolate chip ice-cream cookie sandwich from local vendor and Avenue Suites partner Captain Cookie and the Milkman. I couldn’t blame him for it – the hand-made chocolate chip cookie sandwiches were addictive and out of this world.

The best characteristics about our room were the overall space and the full kitchen. My 11-year old enjoyed his time in bed. I thought the bed was average and that the bathroom could use some modernization. The overall decor of the room was tastefully done: simple, modern and comfortable.

Stock The Fridge

Every hotel should offer a program like this for their family travelers. Talk about a convenience ahead of your arrival. I was able to order from a list of basic Trader Joe offering, just enough to satiate us ahead of hours of exploring. Trader Joe’s being just across the street, anything else I needed (like wine) was a 5-minute walk away.

The Stock-The-Fridge program had a minimum purchase of $25 ahead of taxes and a nominal delivery fee. I chose for us: fruit, popcorn, pretzels, water and lemonade. However, you could also stock the fridge with salad, pizza, and other quick-eat items.

Sweet Summer Package

Another smart offering that the Avenue Suites has for families is the Sweet Summer Package. It includes:

ice-cream sandwich welcome
one-hour canoe or kayak rental on the Potomac
late Sunday checkout
premium room upgrade (an extra 50 sq. ft.)

My boys headed straight for the ice cream sandwiches within 10 minutes of being in the suite. When no one was looking, I quietly enjoyed mine as well. It’s been a few weeks and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s certainly the best I’ve ever had.

Saturday Yoga

I paid for my food sins the next morning at the 9a.m. outdoor yoga class. Although it rained on our parade. We moved our Namaste into a conference room and still had a relaxing morning experience. Our class of 8 stretched and meditated for an hour under the instruction of a Georgetown Yoga teacher – a free treat for our bodies, minds and souls.

The single working elevator and the lack of a pool were a challenge. Eventually the elevator will be in order but summer is a rough time to deal with the inconvenience in a hotel filled with families like your own. It was the #1 complaint I heard from hotel guests as we waited to go up to our room.

The lack of a pool is an entirely different story and a missing amenity that we were only able to deal with by spending as much time as we could exploring Georgetown. Pools are important to our kids and tend to be the highlight of their hotel stays. We do our best to oblige by choosing a property that offers one.

Overall, I’m a fan of the Avenue Suites DC for a one-night family staycation in the Capital. My babies are swimmers so I couldn’t stay for too long. It’s important to know what kind of travelers everyone in your family is and what makes them happy when they’re on a getaway. Gratefully our large suite, our stocked kitchen, the friendly staff, central location, and those delicious chocolate chip ice cream cookie sandwiches offset what was missing and kept the family smiling for the weekend.

We were guests of the Avenue Suites DC who hosted one day of our weekend stay. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jun 30 2015

Discover Boating So That You Can Travel More #Local

Living near Annapolis, it’s hard not to discover boating and its benefits. Once the weather is warm, you crave being out on the water, breathing in the crisp air and soaking in the sun. However, buying a boat is a big investment, much like buying a vehicle.

We live in an area with high boat ownership. We don’t own a boat, however, we manage to get on one every summer.

The Boating Dream

My husband’s dream is to buy a nice boat so that he can fish on the weekends, cruise on the Chesapeake and relax with family and friends. My compromise is to have friends with boats, rent one, or take a cruise. Ha!

Discover Boating — Sailing: Hub learning the ropes (literally).

I know, taking a cruise is nothing at all like owning a boat. I’m just being funny. However, I do look for opportunities to get my family out on the water since we all enjoy it so much.

Last summer (aside from the cruise we took) we went out on the water several times, once for a small Regatta race and once for a leisurely cruise on a private motor boat. This year we’ll take another private boating excursion in Annapolis and enjoy some quality family time with a group of friends.

What I love about boating

There’s something about being on the water that can’t be explained. Once you discover boating for yourself, you’ll understand what I mean.

The water is vast yet peaceful. One moment you feel small and vulnerable and in the next, you’re mind and spirit are floating.

You have the open space and fresh air to enjoy. You have the camaraderie of your fellow boaters surrounding you. Your kids are smiling ear-to-ear (assuming they’re not afraid), playing in the water. And most important of all, you’re manufacturing real moments of relaxation.

When you’re out boating, life is simple. It’s just you and the water.

Why You Should Get Out on The Water

I’ve spoken to so many people who’ve told me that they’d love to travel more. I’m a huge fan of traveling:

It’s cheaper than traveling out of town.
It allows you to discover sites right in your backyard.
It provides the chance to travel more.

Boating is a fun way to see a place from a different vantage point. And I guarantee, once you get on a boat, you’ll feel like you’re traveling further than you are.

The other point worth mentioning is that boating can be less expensive than taking a vacation to a theme park. Looking at the Discover Boating’s price comparison tool, you can see what the difference is between your estimated annual boating costs and taking a vacation to a theme park like Disney.

About Discover Boating

Discover Boating is the U.S. recreational boating industry’s nonprofit awareness program to help people get on the water to experience the fun of boating. For those looking to get their feet wet, Discover Boating is an unbiased online resource to explore the enjoyment and accessibility of the boating lifestyle.

The site offers several ways that you can research how to get on the water; affording a boat; choosing the right boat; and where to rent, charter or buy a boat.

Did You Know

There were an estimated 12 million registered boats in the U.S. in 2014.
95% of boats on the water (powerboats, personal watercraft, and sailboats) in the U.S. are small in size at less than 26 feet—boats that can be trailered by a vehicle to local waterways.
Boating is primarily a middle-class lifestyle as 71.5% of American boat owners have a household income less than $100,000.

*Source: National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) 2014 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract

Know what works for your lifestyle

What you’ll like about the Discover Boating site is that it shows you different options that will allow you to get on the water more often. You can join a boat club, buy into a fractional ownership or join a peer-to-peer program.

Fractional ownerships are like the timeshares of boating. They usually pay an annual fee to be a part of the ownership club. Members can schedule time on their boats without having to worry about logistics such as maintenance, slip fees, insurance and pump out

Boat clubs give you a choice of what type of boat you’d like to rent from the fleet that they own. You pay a monthly fee and you have to fill up the boat with gas yourself. The club maintains, cleans, stores, and insures the boat same as the fractional ownership arrangement.

Since we love traveling out of the country more than we like staying put in-state, renting a boat is the best option for us. Know what works for your family’s travel style.

Do you have any favorite boating memories? What are they? What does your ideal day on the water look like? Who would you most want to spend a day on a boat with?

Thank you to Discover Boating for sponsoring this post. Facts provided by them but opinions are my own.

Jun 29 2015

Packing Tips: How To Pack For Your Next Trip

This video originally aired on WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore on Sunday June 28th. You can also watch it on the WBAL-TV site here. In the segment I share some packing tips and give pointers on how to pack your luggage.

Video Transcript
(courtesy of WBAL-TV 11)
WELCOME BACK. TAWANNA BROWNE SMITH IS GOING TO SHARE HOW TO PACK.
I’M GOING TO SHARE PACKING TIPS. IT IS ABOUT ORGANIZATION AND EFFICIENCY. DON’T JUST THROW IT IN. YOU WANT IT TO BE NEAT. WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR DESTINATION AND YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING, YOU WANT IT TO BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE. I ALWAYS LOOK FOR PRODUCTS THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE MY LIFE EASIER WHEN IT COMES TO PACKING.

FIRST OFF, LET’S TALK ABOUT ORGANIZATION. I LIKE TO USE PACKING LIST CARDS. YOU KNOW, MY HUSBAND ALWAYS WANTED ME TO PACK HIS SUITCASE FOR HIM AS WELL. I HAD MY TWO KIDS TO PACK FOR. I CREATED THESE FOR MY FAMILY. HERE’S THE DAD PACKING LIST CARD.

THAT’S ALL OF YOUR STUFF. ON THE BACK, WRITE IN WHATEVER YOU NEED.

BARRY: DAD’S PACKING LIST. THEN I HAVE MY OWN.

YES, I LEAVE THEM IN THE LUGGAGE. YOU CAN ALSO USE AN APP. I PERSONALLY LIKE TO CHECK THINGS OFF. I’M A LIST TYPE OF PERSON.

YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR LUGGAGE OR BAGGAGE THAT HAS COMPARTMENTS. THIS IS FOR THE ORGANIZATIONAL SIDE OF THINGS. THIS LUGGAGE IS FROM THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MAKE SWISS ARMY KNIVES. HERE IT SHOWS YOU EXACTLY WHAT YOU CAN PUT INSIDE THIS LUGGAGE.

BARRY: LITTLE POCKETS HERE. DEEP POCKETS THERE.

EXACTLY. HERE YOU PUT YOUR SMALL GADGETS LIKE A SMALL PHONE. THEN YOU HAVE YOUR IPAD. THE OTHER COMPARTMENT IS WHERE YOU WOULD PUT YOUR CLOTHING.

IN THIS, I’LL SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE OF USING PACKING CUBES. THESE ARE LITTLE WONDERFUL BAGS TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR CLOTHING ORGANIZED. IF YOU ARE SHARING LUGGAGE WITH SOMEONE, THIS IS GREAT. THIS IS A CARRY ON SO YOU MIGHT NOT.

BUT YOU CAN KEEP YOUR STUFF SEPARATE BY USING DIFFERENT COLORS. THIS EXAMPLE — I’LL USE MY KIDS. I GIVE THEM A BLACK PACKING CUBE. IN MINE, I USE A GREEN COLOR. EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT COLOR THEY HAVE. I HAVE SOCKS IN THIS. THESE ARE CLOTHING. LOOK. FITS NEATLY IN THERE. I’M MAXIMIZING THE SPACE. I ROLL CLOTHES IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE SPACE.

BARRY: YOU GOT TO GET IT IN.

I GOT TO GET IT IN. I’M A WOMAN. I DON’T LIKE TO FORGET THINGS.

BARRY: YOU TALK ABOUT THIS BEING A CARRY-ON BAG. THIS IS ENOUGH FOR ONE OR TWO DAYS?

THIS IS A WEEK’S WORTH OF CLOTHING.

BARRY: HOW MANY PEOPLE?

ME AND A 7-YEAR-OLD. EAGLE CREEK IS A WONDERFUL COMPANY FOR THE PACKING CUBES. THEY COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS. SOME PEOPLE JUST USE ZIP LOCK BAGS. IF DEPENDS IF YOU WANT TO SPEND MONEY.

THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT SELL THE PACKING CUBES. IT IS MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS COMPACT. IT GIVES YOU COMPRESSION TO FIT MORE IN. YOU DON’T NEED THEM IF YOU KNOW HOW TO ROLL THINGS. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE EASY ACCESSIBILITY.

IF YOU GO TO THE HOTEL ROOM AND YOU WANT TO PUT YOURSELF INSIDE THE DRAWER, TAKE THIS. I DON’T LIKE TO PUT MY CLOTHES IN THE DRAWER. BARRY: JUST LEAVE THEM IN THERE.

BARRY: OTHER PEOPLE TALK ABOUT FOLDING.

IF THE MILITARY HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR ALL OF THESE YEARS — IFS THE CORRECT WAY. SOME PEOPLE ARE METICULOUS. THIS IS PERFECT. ROLL THE CLOTHES. DON’T FOLD THEM.

BARRY: WHAT ABOUT THIS? THIS SECTION HERE — YES. I’M TELLING YOU I LOVE. I HAVE TWO MORE BAGS IN HERE. THIS IS MY TOILETRY BAG. WHEN I HAVE TO GO THROUGH TSA, IT IS A QUICK BAG, THEY CAN SEE THROUGH IT, I PUT IT THROUGH THERE.

BARRY: ON WITH THE BAG, YOU HAVE TO PULL OUT LAPTOPS .

I HAVE PRE-CHECK. SO NO. YOU JUST HAVE TO PULL THIS OUT AND YOUR LAPTOP. THAT’S WHY YOU WANT TO GET A CLEAR BAG OR A ZIPLOCK BAG.

BARRY: THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED, YOU CAN GO TO THIS SECTION.

YOU WOULD KEEP ALL THE THINGS IN THE FRONT SECTION. THIS BAG AS IT STANDS UP, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS UNZIP IT A LITTLE BIT TO PULL AND GRAB WHAT YOU NEED.

BARRY: ALL RIGHT. WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN AND SHARING THE TIPS. ESPECIALLY THE PACKING TIPS.

Jun 29 2015

Travel Products That Make Your Travel Life Easier

On Sunday I did a morning travel segment on WBAL-TV 11, a local station in Baltimore, where I spoke about innovative travel products that make your travel life easier. It was a fun experience sharing some of my favorites with the audience.

Travel products segment — Moments before going on air for the segment.

Travel is stressful enough, between flying, getting through security checks quickly and easily, or traveling solo with your child so I like to keep my eyes out for travel products that are going to make the experience just a fraction easier for me. Below you’ll find the five travel products that I talked about on-air.

Travel Products — I’m just noticing all the red. Can you tell it’s my favorite color?

Victorinox Spectra Dual Access Extra Capacity Carry-On

Luggage means everything to me. I’m not a backpacker so I’ll rarely talk about those types of products. I like toting around luggage that is both functional and fashionable. The features that I like about this luggage piece from Swiss Gear, the same company that makes timeless Swiss Army knives, include:

TSA-accepted 3-dial combination lock
lightweight construction,
easy maneuverability with its 360degree spinner wheels
WHAT I LIKE most about this luggage is that it helps keep me organized. I know exactly what I need to put where, in order to maximize the space and design.

Occles Eyewear

This second item is really unique. These are bridgeless eyeshades called Occles, a company of Scotland. You’re probably wondering what are bridgeless eyeshades. Think of noise cancelling headphones but just for your eyes. The eyeshades are like little suction cups that block out ambient and UV light which not only protects your eyes but allows you to go to sleep a little faster. You can use them when you

are on the plane
on the beach and the sun is shining
or if you want to sneak in a nap in the middle of the day when the kids are running around.

A Pillow For Your Armrest

The third item is the Walter and Ray Arm pillow. This super light-weight plush cushion doesn’t take up much space in your bags and comes in handy when you’re on a flight and you want to comfortably rest your elbows on that hard arm rest. The extra padding is such a small detail but it’s the little things that count. You can also use this as a lumbar cushion.

If I’m in a window seat and no one is beside me, I’ll put the arm pillow on the arm rest near the window and lean against that as a back rest, sitting at a diagonal to give myself more leg room. It would be uncomfortable to do that with the exposed seat handle digging into your back.

Functional Travel Clothing

Pocketed travel clothing is really useful when you want to travel hands-free and avoid carrying an extra bag for smaller items. This ScottEVest travel vest has 17 pockets that you can fill with all types of necessities. And because of it’s design, it doesn’t look bulky once the pockets are filled. The vest can hold and conceal your cell phone, money, id, head phones, ipad minis you name it. Talk about compartmentalization.

The Ride On Carry On

This product is a classic. It is a foldable child’s chair that converts your carry-on luggage into a stroller. It folds flat so that you don’t have to detach it from the luggage and you can store it in the overhead bin as is. The headrest doubles as a tray table and it’s included. It supports a child from 8 months – 5 years with a weight up to 50 pounds.

It’s wonderful because it replaces trying to push a stroller and carry-on luggage, which is a challenge to maneuver when you’re flying solo with a child. I used it when my husband was deployed and I had to travel with my then 2 year-old solo. It made a world of a difference maneuvering around the airport with a small child and carry one luggage.

When the link to the segment is ready, I’ll put it up in another blog to share with you all. You can find any of the products that I mentioned in the links below or through the Amazon widget in the right sidebar of this page.

Products

Occles bridgeless eyeshades – http://www.occles.co/

Walter & Ray Arm Cushion – http://walterandray.com/product/armpillow-plus/

What are some of your favorite travel products that ease your travels?